Mattress support structure

ABSTRACT

A mattress support structure of the type having a mattress thereon with the mattress having a central opening and means associated with the support structure and mattress to change the configuration of the opening from closed to open position and with a waste receptacle position below the opening in the mattress.

United States Patent [4 1 June 13, 1972 Wetzler [54] MATTRESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE [72] Inventor: Justin J. Wetzler, 703 Sheridan Road,

. Evanston, HI. 60220 [22] Filed: Dec. 29, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 888,357

52 use] L .....s/91,5/9o [s1] Int.Ci ..A6lg7/02 [58] FieldofSearch ..5/90,9l;4/ll2,134

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 2,384,325 9/1945 Marsan. ..s/90

2,902,701 9/1959 Driskill ..5/90X 3,332,090 7/1967 Wetzler ..5/90

Primary E.raminer--Casmir A. Nunberg Anomey-Keith J. Kulie [57] ABSTRACT A mattress support structure of the type having a mattress thereon with the mattress having a central opening and means associated with the support structure and mattress to change the configuration of the opening from closed to open position and with a waste receptacle position below the opening in the mattress.

ecw snnwin n ures I PATENTEDJun 13 m2 SHEET 2 OF 2 Inventor Justin J. Wetgler MD0|4M$SMM fi-H-o meq s Km .m

MATTRESS SUPPORT STRUCTURE The present invention relates to an improved mattress support structure and more particularly it relates to a mattress support structure wherein an opening is provided in the mattress to define access to a waste receptacle positioned below the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention is particularly useful in hospital bed structures. Many devices have been provided from time to time for use by patients in hospitals to dispose of human waste without leaving the bed. The most conventional and common form of container, of course, is the bed-pan.

In many instances where patients are confined to their bed (for example heart patients) it is not only undesirable to have the patient leave the bed but, it also is undesirable to move the patient for any reason. Accordingly, some structures have been provided in the past for removal of body waste by separation of mattress segments, or the like.

I have provided an improved mattress support structure having a mattress associated therewith with an opening being defined in the mattress about a waste receptacle mounted on the support structure. Access to the waste receptacle associated with the support structure is defined by separating the walls of the opening defined in the mattress. The structure I have developed may involve the use of only one positioning means for separation of the opening defined in the mattress as distinguished from the relatively complex means provided in earlier structures.

The structure disclosed herein is particularly convenient in that it may be adapted for use with existing bed structures with only slight modification of the structures to accommodate the positioning means associated with the mattress support structure of the present invention. It also is desirable in that the structure may be used by an individual without assistance from an attendant.

It is, of course, a primary object of the present invention to provide improved mattress support structure with positioning means associated therewith adapted to control the character of an opening defined within a mattress associated with the structure. V j

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved mattress supportstructure having a mattress with a central opening therein and a waste receptacle mounted on the support structure and disposed beneath the opening defined in the mattress.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved mattress support structure having a deflectable opening in the mattress associated with the structure and powered positioning means associated with the structure to define the open and closed position of said opening.

Other objects of the present invention reside in the provi sion of an improved mattress support structure which may be adapted for use with conventional bed structures; which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture; which is easy to use and to maintain in use and which is readily serviced. 1

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. I is a top plan view of the mattress support structure of the present invention illustrating the powered positioning means and the waste receptacle associated with the structure,

including the means for covering the waste receptacle when it is not in use;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the structure of FIG. 1 illustrating the articulated feature of the support structure and the positioning means associated therewith for operation of the structure to define the mattress opening;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the support structure showing in detail the opening defined in the mattress and the means extending over the mattress and associated with a positioning means to enlarge the opening of the mattress;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the area shown generally in FIG. 3 illustrating in greater detail the positioning means and the closure for the waste receptacle; and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the central opening area of the mattress associated with the mattress support structure show ing the positioning means in use to define the enlarged opening in the mattress.

Referring more particularly now to the drawings, the mattress support structure is illustrated generally at 10. The structure 10 includes a mattress support means 12 defined by a frame support 14 which extends between ends of a bed (not shown). The ends of the frame support 14 are defined at 16 and 18 (FIG. 2). The frame support 14 is articulated so that the mattress support means 12 and mattress '20 may be moved to various positions to accommodate the needs or wishes of the user. The mattress 20 may be defined in various forms adapted to the particular support structure employed in the bed. In the specific example illustrated herein, the mattress 20 is defined by two mattress segments 22 and 24 with the central opening or parting 26 defined between the segments 22 and 24. It should be noted that that mattress 20 may be unitary with a central opening therein-the opening extending laterally of the mattress and terminating inboard of the mattress sides.

The frame support 14, in the specific example set forth herein, includes three sections 28, 30 and 32; The sections 28, 30 and 32 are pivotally interconnected so that the sections 28 and 32 may rotate independently about section 30, to define different positions relative to section 30 in use of the mattress support structure. For example, the section 28 may be rotated counter-clockwise (FIG. 2) to the position 28' indicated by the dashed lines in FIG. 2. Of course, the section 28 may be moved to any position between 28 and 28, as desired by the user. Similarly, the section 32 may be rotated counterclockwise to the position shown by the dashed lines 32 of FIG. 2. Also, the section 32 may be moved to any desired position between 32 and 32' (FIG. 2). The section positions 28', 30 and 32' of FIG. 2 define a conventional sitting position for a bed user--a configurationwhich maybe difficult to realize with many articulated mattress support structures.

The frame section 28 is provided with a pair of trunnion extensions 34 having an opening extending through each to receive a pin 36 about which it may pivot. The frame section 30 is provided with mating trunnion extensions 38 in overlapping relation to the extensions 34 when the sections 28 and 30 are in assembled relation in the support structure 10. The trunnions 38 are provided with openings into which the pins 36 are received to pivotally join the trunnions 34 and 38 along with their respective frame sections. A similar pivotal interconnection may be provided between the frame section 30 and section 32. It should be notedthat the sections 28-30 and 30-32 need not be directly pivotally interconnected but may be pivotally mounted at some other reference base on the mattress support structure 10.

The operating means for the frame support 14 which is utilized in positioning the sections 28 and 32 (e.g.) may be of any suitable construction. The structure illustrated in'the drawings and described here is intended as a schematic representation only and does not form a distinct part of the present invention.

The operating means for the frame section 28 may be defined by the crank arm 40 which includes a first arm 42 and a second arm 44. The arms 42 and 44 are pivotally supported by the pin 46 on the mattress support structure 10. A control rod 48 isoperatively secured to the free end of the arm 42 of the crank arm 40 to define the position of the arm 40. When the rod 48 moves to the right (FIG. 2) the crank arm 40 will rotate about the pin 46 in a counter-clockwise direction. This will cause the cam wheel 50 to move against a mating cam surface on the frame section 28 to press against the section 28 and cause it to move in the same direction as the crank arm 40. A pawl 52 is operatively associated with the crank arm 40 of the apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The pawl is biased so that it will extend slightly outwardly of the upper surface (FIG. 2) of the second arm 44 of the crank arm 40. The pawl 52 may be biased in this manner by a suitable spring member, or other similar device adapted for this purpose. The pawl 52 is pivotally mounted on the pin 46 or may be pivotally mounted in some other manner in operative associated with the.crank arm 40. The pawl 52 must be associated with the crank arm 40 such that it will hold the crank arm and frame section in any desired position in ratchet action, as described herein.

A series of teeth or serrations 54 are schematically illustrated in FIG. 2 and defined in. the frame section 28 of the mattress support structure 10. The teeth 54 define means for engagement of the pawl 52 of the structure. It can readily be seen that as the crank arm 40 is rotated counter-clockwise (FIG. 2) the pawl 52 will move into engagement with the teeth. The teeth are arranged with an inclined face (as illustrated) so that the pawl 52 may slide over them in one direction of movement but will catch on the teeth in the other direction of movement. When the desired fram section position is reached the pressure on the operating means is relaxed. This will. cause the frame section 28 to begin to rotate clockwise (counter to the earlier direction of movement). This causes the pawl 52 to engage one of the teeth 54 on the frame section 28 and lock the frame section and the crank arm 40 in position. Any suitable locking means may be provided for the pawl 52 to keep the frame section in the desired positionflt also should be noted that if a worm drive is utilized for movement of the crank arm 40, the inherent friction on the worm drive may alone be sufficient to maintain the frame section 28 and crank arm 40 in the desired position. It is commonly known that the worm drive mechanism is inherently inefficient and the frictional engagement between thewonn and worm gear may be sufficient to define a resistive force to any force attemptingto move the frame section 28 toward its horizontal position as shown by the solid lines of FIG. 2.

A: similar frame section operating means may be provided for the section'32 with the crank arm 56 being operatively associated with the section. The arm 56 is defined by the first arm 58 and second arm 60. A control rod 48 is operatively connected to the free end of the second arm 60 and is adapted to control the movement and position of the crank arm 56, as described hereinbelow. g

' A pawl 64 is operatively associated with the crank arm 56 and is adapted to engage serrations or teeth 66 on the associated frame section 32.

The frame section 32 may be elevated (FIG. 2) by moving the control rod 48 to the leftto rotate the crank arm clockwise thereby moving the cam 68 against the frame section 32 and moving it clockwise to follow the movement of the crank arm. The pawl and tooth assembly will lock the section 32 in any position desired. If the section 32 is to be lowered (for sitting position, e.g.) the control rod 48 will'be moved to the right (FIG. 2) to pull the crank arm 56 in a counter-clockwise direction. The force of gravity then may be employed to drop the frame section 32 so that it follow the rotation of the crank arm 56. The pawl-tooth assembly and its associated locking means may be employed to fix the position of the section 32 as desired.

The operating means schematically illustrated and described herein is primarily manual in nature and is set forth onlyto illustrate the mattress support structure in a substantially complete sense. It should be recognized that suitably driven and operatively associated motors (or other drive means) may be employed to cause the frame sections 28 and 32 to move to any desired position-such devices being known in the art.

As noted hereinabove, the mattress 20 is defined by two segments 22 and 24 which are supported on the frame sections 28, 30 and 32 of the structure 10. The segments 22 and 24 are defined such that the parting 26 between them is substantially in the central area of the bed which would correspond to the normal position of the lower portion of a human torso upon the bed when it is in use.

A waste receptacle 70 is supported on the mattress support structure 10 in position below the parting 26 of the mattress 20. The bed structure of the present invention is intended for use in combination with the waste receptacle, as noted herein. The mattress parting, in use, is moved to define an enlarged opening above the top of the waste receptacle and the user of the bed may then use the waste receptacle to dispose of human waste without having to leave the bed itself.

The mattress support structure 10 is provided with means to define the enlarged opening in the mattress. To accomplish this purpose power means and parting means are provided to move the mattress segment 24 so that it will be withdrawn from the area above the top of the waste receptacle thereby defining an opening through the mattress to the receptacle 70.

The parting means is defined by a strap 72 and as sociated power means, as defined below. One end of the strap 72 is anchored to the end 16 of the mattress support means 12. The strap extends from the anchored end 16, over the top surface of the mattress segment 24 to the parting 26. The strap 72 then extends continuously down the parting along the thickness of the mattress segment 24 and under the bottom surface of the mattress for a short distance, as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The strap 72 extends along the lower surface of the mattress segment 24' a distance at least equal to the maximum opening to be defined by the parting 26. The strap 72 then extends to a power means 74 to which the other end of said strap is anchored for control movement of the strap in defining the opening in the parting 26 of the mattress.

The power means 74 includes a spool 76 upon which the free end of the strap 72 is wound and secured. The spool'76 is non-rotatably mounted on the shaft 78 to rotate therewith. The shaft 78 is rotatably supported in bearings 80, one being illustrated in FIG. 4, to define a mounting for the shaft 78 and means to permit free rotation of the shaft 78.

resting A crank or hand operated wheel 82 is operatively associated with the shaft 78 to proved means for rotation of said shaft. The crank 82, for example, may fit onto a splined or keyed portion (not shown) on the shaft 78 to permit a driving relation between the crank 82 and the shaft 78. l

It canreadily be seen that when the crank 82 and shaft 78 are rotated to wind the strip 72 upon the spool 76 the effective length of the strap between the spool 76 and the anchored end (at 16) will be shortened. Shortening of the strap 72 requires resolution in some manner. Since the end 16 is fixed and the position of the spool 76 is fixed the only element that may act to resolve the change is the mattress segment 24. Accordingly, the mattress segment 24 will be deflected inwardly of itself at the parting 26 to enlarge the opening and expose the top portion of the waste receptacle 70, as shown in FIG. 5.

The strap 72 may be positioned within suitable guides on V the mattress segment 24 to provide means for orientation of the strap on the mattress. However, such positioning is not essential to operation in the manner described above.

It should be noted that the mattress deflection contemplated herein can occur only with a flexible mattress construction. It can readily be seen that a rigid spring structure could not deflect and would not operate as defined, A coil spring (or other rigid mattress structure) structure may be used but the area shown generally in FIG. 5 by the deflected area would, of course, have to be of a difierent construction to accommodate the deflection, as described. I

The waste receptacle 70 is provided with a cover structure including the pivoting cover sections 84 and 86. As shown generally in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the cover section 84 is pivotally secured by the pin 88 to the support structure while the cover 86 is pivotally secured by the pin 90 to the support structure.

The pivotal mounting for the cover plates 84 and 86 may be spring biased in a manner to move the covers 84 and 86 to their closed position as noted in FIG. 5 and by the solid lines of FIG. 4. The spring biasing is such that the force may readily be overcome to permit relatively easy opening of the cover, when desired.

Preferably, the cover plates 84 and 86 are rotated to their open position at the same time that the mattress segment 24 is drawn to the open position as defined in FIG. 5. It should be noted that the cover plates may be pivoted manually to move them to the open positions illustrated by the dashed lines 84 and 86' of FIG. 4. In such case, auxiliary means for automatically opening the cover plates 84 and 86 will not be required.

I have provided means for, automatically opening the cover plates 84 and 86 at the time the mattress segment 24 is deflected by movement of the strap 72. This means is illustrated, in part in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The power means includes a tension shaft 92 about which the belts 94 and 96 extend. The belt 94, for example, extends continuously about the shaft 78 and the shaft 92 to define a complete circuit therebetween. The belt 94 is secured at one portion thereof to the cover 84 by the projection 98 indicated in FIG. 4. The belt 94 extends about a collar 100 which is mounted on the shaft 78 such that it may rotate about the shaft and may slide axially along the shaft 78.

When the crank 82 is rotated to rotate the shaft in a direction to pull the mattress segment 24 to its open position the belt 94 will be rotated about the shafts 78 and 92. As the top portion of the belt 94 moves to the left (FIG. 4) upon rotation of the crank 82 the point of connection of the belt 94 with the cover plate 84 (at 98) will cause the cover plate 84 to pivot about the pin 88 to rotate the cover plate 84 toward its open position 84'. It can readily be seen that this rotation is accomplished at the same time of opening of the mattress segment.

The belt 96, like the belt 94, is mounted about the shafts 78 and 92. The belt 96 further extends over a collar 102 mounted on the shaft 78 for rotation therewith and for axial movement therealong. The upper portion of the belt 96 is secured to the cover 86 at the projection 104. The cover 86 is rotated in the same manner as the cover 84 upon movement of the belt 96 where the crank 82 is rotated to open the mattress segment 24.

The free ends of the cover plates 84 and 86 slide along a curved segment 106 which serves to support and to guide the free ends of the cover plates 84 and 86. i

It should be noted that the means for rotating the cover plates 84 and 86, as described hereinabove, serve only to illustrate the concept involved and disclosed herein. Other means may readily be employed to cause the cover plates 84 and 86 to rotate to the open position, as defined herein.

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of the present invention it will, of course, be understood that other modifications and alternative constructions may be used without departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention. I therefore intended by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and alternative constructions as fall within their true spirit and scope.

What I intend to claim and to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An improved mattress support structure of the type having a mattress on the mattress support with an opening defined therein and a receptacle mounted on the mattress support in a position below the opening in the mattress, wherein the im provement comprises: 7

a parting web associated with the structure and mattress,

said parting web being anchored at one end to the mattress support;

moveable positioning means securing the other end of said parting web, the parting web extending from said one end thereof onto said positioning means;

power means to move the positioning means associated with said parting web from a first position wherein the mattress is in a relaxed condition to a second position where the parting web forces the walls of the mattress away from each other to define an enlarged opening in the mattress; and

closure means operatively associated with the moveable positioning means and extending over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and extending away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged, said closure means including a cover element slideably mounted on the receptacle and operatively associated with the power means, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress closed and sliding away from and opening the top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged.

2. An improved mattress support structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said closure means includes a cover element pivotally mounted to said receptacle and operatively associated with said shaft, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged. I

3. The structure of claim 1, wherein said closure means includes a cover element pivotally mounted to the mattress support and operatively associated with said shaft, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged.

4. An improved mattress support structure of the type having a mattress on the mattress support with an opening defined therein and a receptacle mounted on the mattress support in a position below the mattress opening, the improvement comprising:

a parting web associated with the structure and mattress,

said parting web being anchored at one end to the mattress support;

moveable positioning means securing the other end of said parting web, the web extending from said one end thereof onto said positioning means;

power means to move the positioning means associated with said parting web from a first position where the mattress is in a relaxed condition to a second position where the web forces the walls of the opening of the mattress away from each other to define an enlarged opening in the mat tress; and

closure means operatively associated with said web and extending over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and extending away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged, said closure means including a cover element slideably mounted on the receptacle and operatively associated with the power means, the cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged.

5. An improved mattress support structure as recited in claim 4, wherein said closure means includes a cover element pivotally mounted to said receptacle and operatively associated with said shaft, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged. 1

6. The structure of claim 4, wherein said closure means includes a cover element pivotally mounted to the mattress support and operatively associated with said shaft, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged. 

1. An improved mattress support structure of the type having a mattress on the mattress support with an opening defined therein and a receptacle mounted on the mattress support in a position below the opening in the mattress, wherein the improvement comprises: a parting web associated with the structure and mattress, said parting web being anchored at one end to the mattress support; moveable positioning means securing the other end of said parting web, the parting web extending from said one end thereof onto said positioning means; power means to move the positioning means associated with said parting web from a first position wherein the mattress is in a relaxed condition to a second position where the parting web forces the walls of the mattress away from each other to define an enlarged opening in the mattress; and closure means operatively associated with the moveable positioning means and extending over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and extending away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged, said closure means including a cover element slideably mounted on the receptacle and operatively associated with the power means, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress closed and sliding away from and opening the top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged.
 2. An improved mattress support structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said closure means includes a cover element pivotally mounted to said receptacle and operatively associated with said shaft, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged.
 3. The structure of claim 1, wherein said closure means includes a cover element pivotally mounted to the mattress support and operatively associated with said shaft, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged.
 4. An improved mattress support structure of the type having a mattress on the mattress support with an opening defined therein and a receptacle mounted on the mattress support in a position below the mattress opening, the improvement comprising: a parting web associated with the structure and mattress, said parting web being anchored at one end to the mattress support; moveable positioning means securing the other end of said parting web, the web extending from said one end thereof onto said positioning means; power means to move the positioning means associated with said parting web from a first position where the mattress is in a relaxed condition to a second position where the web forces the walls of the opening of the mattress away from each other to define an enlarged opening in the mattress; and closure means operatively associated with said web and extending over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and extending away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged, said closure means including a cover element slideably mounted on the receptacle and operatively associated with the power means, the cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged.
 5. An improved mattress support structure as recited in claim 4, wherein said closure means includes a cover element pivotally mounted to said receptacle and operatively associated with said shaft, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged.
 6. The structure of claim 4, wherein said closure means includes a cover element pivotally mounted to the mattress support and operatively associated with said shaft, said cover element sliding over and closing the receptacle top in one position with the mattress opening closed and sliding away from and opening the receptacle top in a second position when the mattress opening is enlarged. 